Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 15, 2024

Date:  Monday of the 3rd Week of Easter

 Scripture Text:  Jn 6:22-29

[After Jesus had fed the five thousand men, his disciples saw him walking on the sea.] The next day, the crowd that remained across the sea saw that there had been only one boat there, and that Jesus had not gone along with his disciples in the boat, but only his disciples had left. Other boats came from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread when the Lord gave thanks. When the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus. And when they found him across the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?” Jesus answered them and said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, you are looking for me not because you saw signs but because you ate the loaves and were filled. Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.For on him the Father, God, has set his seal.” So, they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today from Jesus’ “Bread of Life Discourse” recounted in the Gospel of John occurs after Jesus had fed the multitude with five loaves and two fish. The crowds searched for Jesus the next morning, and not finding him struck out from the Sea of Tiberias area to Capernaum. And there they did find Jesus. But He questioned them as to why they sought Him. Was it for more bread? Or was it because they believed in the work the Father was doing through Him? Did they come because they believed in Him?

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Why do I seek Jesus? Is it for passing and temporal needs? Or do I seek Him because I believe He is the Son of God, my Savior?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, You came among us, according to the will of the Father through the power of the Spirit. You took upon yourself our human nature and through your words and actions You revealed the Father’s great love for us and the Father’s desire for our salvation. You taught us the law of love, not just with the words of the two greatest commandments, to love the LORD with all our being and to love one another as ourselves, but also through your selfless sacrifice upon a cross for our sins, even though You are sinless. Send your Spirit to strengthen our faith, to increase our hope, and to purify and deepen our love. Grant that we may come to You as believers, wholly and truly, and follow in your footsteps as You lead us home. Amen.